Haptically enhanced interactivity with interactive content

ABSTRACT

Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/895,161, filed Sep. 30, 2010, the entire contentof which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to haptically enhanced interactivity withinteractive content being conveyed to a user by a content outputappliance, wherein the content output appliance is under control of oneor more processors that control the output of the interactive contentbased on one or more position parameters of a peripheral beingmanipulated by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Users may interact with virtual objects within a virtual environment ina number of manners. In some cases, users may manipulate a physicalobject in the real world in order to interact with a virtual object.Such interactions may involve augmented reality technology, which mayintegrate 2D and/or 3D virtual objects into live video that is digitallyprocessed and “augmented” with the 2D and/or 3D virtual objects. Inother words, this digital processing can mix real and virtual worldstogether, in real and/or near-real time. Conventionally, visual and/oraudio feedback may provide a sense of interaction with virtual objectsto users. For example, a virtual object may be presented to a user on adisplay where the virtual object can be seen as moving with or withoutaccompanying sound effects. In existing systems, however, no physicalsense of interaction with virtual objects is provided to users.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention relates to a system configured to presentinteractive content to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. Thesystem may include a content output appliance configured to outputinteractive content to the user and a processor configured to executecomputer program modules. The computer program modules may include aposition module, a peripheral identification module, a content module,and a haptics module. The position module may be configured to determineone or more position parameters that are related to the position of theperipheral. The peripheral identification module may be configured toidentify the peripheral from a plurality of possible peripherals. Thecontent module may be configured to adjust the interactive contentoutput by the content output appliance based on the one or more positionparameters. The haptics module may be configured to determine hapticfeedback to be provided to the user. The haptics module may beconfigured to determine the haptic feedback based on the identificationof the peripheral and the one or more position parameters.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a peripheral configured toenhance the interactivity of interactive content being conveyed to auser by a content output appliance. The content output appliance may beunder control of one or more processors that control the output of theinteractive content based on one or more position parameters of theperipheral. The peripheral may include an actuator, a wireless receiver,an actuator control, and one or more identifying features. The actuatormay be configured to generate haptic feedback for the user. The wirelessreceiver may be configured to receive information from the one or moreprocessors defining one or more feedback parameters of the hapticfeedback to be generated by the actuator. The actuator control may beconfigured to control the actuator to generate haptic feedback for theuser in accordance with the received information defining the one ormore feedback parameters. The one or more identifying features mayidentify the peripheral to the one or more processors from otherperipherals that are usable with the interactive content such that theone or more feedback parameters communicated from the one or moreprocessors to the peripheral are dependent on the identifying featuresof the peripheral.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to present interactive content toone or more users manipulating one or more peripherals, in accordancewith one or more implementations of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a peripheral configured to enhance the interactivityof interactive content being conveyed to a user by a content outputappliance, in accordance with one or more implementations of theinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates another peripheral configured to enhance theinteractivity of interactive content being conveyed to a user by acontent output appliance, in accordance with one or more implementationsof the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for interacting with interactive contentbeing conveyed to a user by a content output appliance, in accordancewith one or more implementations of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured to present interactivecontent to one or more users manipulating one or more peripherals, inaccordance with one or more implementations of the invention.Interactive content may include a representation of the real world, arepresentation of a virtual environment, a representation of a user, arepresentation of a real-world object, a virtual object, real and/orartificial sounds, other content, and/or combinations thereof. Exemplaryimplementations provide haptic technologies, or “haptics”, to enhanceinteractivity with interactive content. Haptics may include tactileand/or kinesthetic (force) feedback technology that takes advantage of auser's sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, motions, and/orother touch feedback to the user. This may provide a more compelling andcomplete user experience while interacting with interactive content.

In some implementations, the system 100 may include at least oneperipheral 102, one or more external resources 104, at least one digitaldevice 106, and/or other components. Components of the system 100, theperipheral 102, the external resources 104, and/or the digital device106 may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communicationlinks. For example, such electronic communication links may beestablished, at least in part, via a communications network 108, whichmay include the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciatedthat this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of thisdisclosure includes implementations in which the peripheral 102, theexternal resources 104, and/or the digital device 106 are operativelylinked via some other communication media.

The peripheral 102 may include a physical object, a physical device,and/or a combination thereof that can be manipulated by a user tointeract with interactive content. Such manipulation of the peripheral102 may include translating, rotating, deforming, and/or otherwisemoving the peripheral 102. Examples of physical objects that mayconstitute the peripheral 102 may include consumer products such astoys, beverage containers, packaging, magazines, figurines, cards (e.g.,sports cards, game cards, gift cards, and/or other cards), books,sporting/fitness equipment, collectible items, and/or other consumerproducts; a body part of a user (e.g., hand, head, face, torso, and/orother body part); a piece of paper and/or cardstock bearing graphics,which may or may not have been printed by a user; and/or other physicalobjects. Physical devices that may be included in the peripheral 102 mayinclude, for example, a mobile telephone, a digital music player, apersonal digital assistant, a Smartphone, a wrist watch, an e-bookreader, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a remote control, awearable computer (interactive clothing/accessories), acomputing/interactive digital media device implanted in or on the user'sbody, and/or other physical devices. Generally, however, anythingmanipulatable or able to be interacted with by a user may constitute theperipheral 102, in accordance with exemplary implementations. Exemplaryperipherals that may constitute the peripheral 102, in accordance withone or more implementations of the invention, are described further inconnection with FIGS. 2 and 3.

The external resources 104 may include sources of information, hostsand/or providers of interactive content outside of the system 100,external entities participating with the system 100, and/or otherresources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionalityattributed herein to the external resources 104 may be provided byresources included in the system 100.

The digital device 106 may be configured to present interactive contentto users, and to facilitate interaction with the interactive content tousers manipulating the peripheral 102. As depicted in FIG. 1, thedigital device 106 may include one or more of electronic storage 110, acontent output appliance 112, an imaging device 114, a peripheralidentification sensor 116, a position sensor 118, a wirelesstransmitter/receiver 120, at least one processor 122, and/or othercomponents. By way of non-limiting example, the digital device 106 mayinclude one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile telephone, a digitalmusic player, a personal digital assistant, a Smartphone, a wrist watch,an e-book reader, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a remotecontrol, a wearable computer (interactive clothing/accessories), acomputing/interactive digital media device implanted in or on the user'sbody, and/or other computing platforms.

It will be appreciated that one or more of the constituent components ofthe digital device 106 may be combined into a single component withfunctionalities attributed herein to one or more constituent componentsof the digital device 106. It will be appreciated that, while theconstituent components of the digital device 106 are depicted in FIG. 1as being collocated, this may not be the case. In some implementations,one or more components of the digital device 106 may be physicallylocated apart and separate from other components of the digital device106. In such implementations, separate components of the digital device106 may be communicatively coupled (by wire or wirelessly) to one ormore other components of the digital device 106. Communicative couplingmay be provided by the communications network 108.

The electronic storage 110 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media of theelectronic storage 110 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the digitaldevice 106 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to thedigital device 106 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Theelectronic storage 110 may include one or more of optically readablestorage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storagemedia (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.),electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.),solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or otherelectronically readable storage media. The electronic storage 110 maystore software algorithms, information determined by processor 122,information received from peripheral 102, information received from theexternal resources 104, and/or other information that enables thedigital device 106 to function as described herein.

The content output appliance 112 may be configured to output interactivecontent to the user. Interactive content may be outputted visually,audibly, and/or haptically. Interactive content may be provided to thecontent output appliance 112 for outputting from the electronic storage110, the processor 122 and/or modules thereof, the external resources104, and/or other sources. According to exemplary implementations, thecontent output appliance 112 may include an electronic display (e.g.,monitor or screen), an electronic sound transducer (e.g., speaker),and/or other content output appliances. The content output appliance 112may output interactive content that is haptically perceivable. Forexample, an electronic sound transducer included in content outputappliance 112 may be configured in such a way as to output ranges ofenergy and at locations so to be perceived by the user's hapticperceptual system. This haptic output may be independent of, coordinatedwith, or in place of additional dedicated haptic output devices such asactuators.

The imaging device 114 may be configured to capture information relatedto a visual representation of the surroundings of the digital device 106or components thereof. The surroundings may include a user, a peripheral102, the physical environment of the user, and/or other visualrepresentations. The visual representation may include one or more stillimages, video, and/or other visual representations. Information capturedby the imaging device 114 may be provided to the content outputappliance 112, the processor 122 and/or modules thereof, and/or othercomponents of the system 100. The imaging device 114 may include, by wayof non-limiting example, a digital camera, a web-camera, an analogcamera, a 3D camera, a stereo camera, and/or other imaging devices.

The peripheral identification sensor 116 may be configured to generatean output signal that conveys information that identifies the peripheral102. In some implementations, the peripheral identification sensor 116may be configured to identify the peripheral 102 from a plurality ofother peripherals. The peripheral identification sensor 116 may identifythe peripheral 102 visually in some implementations. In suchimplementations, the peripheral identification sensor 116 may be theimaging device 114. According to some implementations, the peripheralidentification sensor 116 may identify the peripheral 102 by remotesensing. Remote sensing of the identity of the peripheral 102 mayinclude RFID, image recognition, optical code identification and/ortranslation, GPS or other location sensor, wireless connection signalstrength, network address, wireless protocols (e.g., Bluetooth), wiredconnection and/or other remote sensing technologies. The peripheralidentification sensor 116 may provide an identification of theperipheral 102, such as by an output signal, to the processor 122 and/ormodules thereof, and/or other components of the system 100.

The position sensor 118 may be configured to sense a position of theperipheral 102 in the real world. The position sensor 118 may sense theposition of the peripheral 102 visually, in some implementations. Insuch implementations, the position sensor 118 may be the imaging device114. In accordance with some implementations, the position sensor 118may sense the position of the peripheral 102 by remote sensing. Remotesensing of the position of the peripheral 102 may include triangualationbased on RFID, WiFi, or other wireless communication protocol,capacitive field sensing, optical or other types of motion tracking,access to data from device-embedded sensors such as magnetometer,accelerometer/gyroscope, and/or other remote sensing techniques. Theposition sensor 118 may be configured to generate an output signal thatconveys information related to the position of the peripheral 102. Suchan output signal may be provided to the processor 122 and/or modulesthereof, and/or other components of the system 100. In someimplementations, the position sensor 118 may include one or more sensorscarried by peripheral 102. For example, the position sensor 118 mayinclude one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a digital compass,and/or other sensors configured to generate output signals conveyinginformation related to the position and/or motion of peripheral 102.

The wireless transmitter/receiver 120 may be configured to wirelesslytransmit information to and/or wirelessly receive information from oneor more components of the system 100. As such, the wirelesstransmitter/receiver 120 may include a wireless transmitter, a wirelessreceiver, and/or a combined wireless transmitter and receiver.Information transmitted or received by the wireless transmitter/receiver120 may be related to haptic feedback to be delivered to the user.

The processor 122 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in the digital device 106. As such, the processor 122 mayinclude one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although theprocessor 122 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is forillustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor 122 mayinclude a plurality of processing units. These processing units may bephysically located within the same device, or the processor 122 mayrepresent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operatingin coordination. For example, processor 122 may include a firstprocessor included in digital device 106 and a second processor includedin peripheral 102. The first processor and the second processor may bein communication with each other, and may cooperate to provide thefunctionality attributed herein to processor 122.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the processor 122 may be configured to executeone or more computer program modules. The one or more computer programmodules may include one or more of a position module 124, a peripheralidentification module 126, a content module 128, a haptics module 130,and/or other modules. The processor 122 may be configured to executemodules 124, 126, 128, and/or 130 by software; hardware; firmware; somecombination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or othermechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on the processor 122.

It should be appreciated that although modules 124, 126, 128, and 130are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which the processor 122 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 124, 126, 128, and/or 130 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 124, 126, 128, and/or130 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 124, 126, 128, and/or 130 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 124, 126, 128, and/or 130 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 124, 126,128, and/or 130. As another example, processor 122 may be configured toexecute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all ofthe functionality attributed below to one of modules 124, 126, 128,and/or 130.

The position module 124 may be configured to determine one or moreposition parameters that are related to the position of one or moreperipherals (e.g., the peripheral 102). Position parameters may includeinformation related to the position of a peripheral relative to a user,the digital device 106, and/or other point of reference; the orientationof the peripheral; the size of the peripheral; and/or other information.In some implementations, the position module may be configured todetermine the one or more position parameters based, at least in part,on an output signal of the position sensor 118. Information from theimaging device 114 may be utilized to determine the one or more positionparameters, in accordance with some implementations.

The peripheral identification module 126 may be configured to identify aperipheral (e.g., the peripheral 102) from a plurality of possibleperipherals. Possible peripherals may include various physical objectsand/or physical devices proximate to a user. In some implementations,the peripheral identification module 126 may be configured to identifythe peripheral based on the output signal of the peripheralidentification sensor 116. The peripheral identification module 126 maybe configured to identify the peripheral based on the appearance and/ora visual aspect of the peripheral. For example, in some implementations,the peripheral identification module 126 may be configured to identifythe peripheral based on graphics borne by the peripheral. According tosome implementations, the peripheral identification module 126 may beconfigured to identify the peripheral by identifying a type ofperipheral from among a plurality of peripheral types. Exemplaryperipheral types may include a type of physical object, a type ofphysical device, and/or other peripheral types.

The content module 128 may be configured to adjust the interactivecontent outputted by the content output appliance 112. Adjustment of theinteractive content may be based, at least in part, on the one or moreposition parameters as determined by the position module 124, on theidentity of the peripheral and/or on the type of peripheral asdetermined by the peripheral identification module 126, and/or otherfactors. Adjusting the interactive content outputted by the contentoutput appliance 112 may include adjusting the appearance, orientation,size, position, subject matter, sound, sound level, and/or other aspectsof the interactive content.

The haptics module 130 may be configured to determine haptic feedback tobe provided to the user. Haptic feedback may be experienced by the uservia the peripheral 102, as described further in connection with FIGS. 2and 3. Haptic feedback may include tactile feedback that takes advantageof a user's sense of touch. Haptic feedback may include forces,vibrations, motions, and/or other tactile feedback applied by theperipheral 102 to the user. The haptics module 130 may be configured todetermine the haptic feedback based, at least in part, on theidentification of the peripheral 102 as determined by the peripheralidentification module 126. The haptics module 130 may be configured todetermine the haptic feedback based, at least in part, on the one ormore position parameters as determined by the position module 124. Thehaptics module 130 may be configured such that the haptic feedback isfurther based, at least in part, on the interactive content being outputby the content output appliance 112. Information related to the hapticfeedback to be provided to the user may be transmitted by the wirelesstransmitter/receiver 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a peripheral 202, in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the invention. The peripheral 202 may be configuredto enhance the interactivity of interactive content being conveyed to auser by the content output appliance 112. The peripheral 202 mayconstitute the peripheral 102 depicted in FIG. 1, according to someimplementations. As depicted in FIG. 2, the peripheral 202 may includean accessory 204, a base device 206, and/or other components. Althoughthe accessory 204 and the base device 206 are depicted in FIG. 2 asincluding certain components, this is not intended to be limiting as theaccessory 204 and/or the base device 206 may include one or more of anactuator 208, a wireless transmitter/receiver 210, an actuator control212, one or more identifying features 214, and/or other components. Insome implementations, for example, the accessory 204 and/or the basedevice 206 may include (not depicted in FIG. 2) one or more of abattery, an audio playback device, an accelerometer, a motion detector,buttons, and/or other components.

The actuator 208 may be configured to generate haptic feedback for theuser. Haptic feedback may include forces, vibrations, motions, a hapticcomponent of a multimodal signal, and/or other tactile feedback appliedby the peripheral 202 to the user. The actuator 208 may include amechanical device configured to cause one or more motions of theperipheral 202. The actuator 208 may convert energy (e.g., electric,pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or other energy) in to mechanical energyresulting in one or motions of the peripheral 202. In someimplementations, the actuator 208 may include an electric motor with anunbalanced mass on its driveshaft such that rotation of the driveshaftgenerates vibrations. The actuator 208 may be carried by the accessory204 and/or the base device 206 in accordance with exemplaryimplementations.

The wireless transmitter/receiver 210 may be configured to wirelesslytransmit information to and/or wirelessly receive information from oneor more components of the system 100. As such, the wirelesstransmitter/receiver 210 may include a wireless transmitter, a wirelessreceiver, and/or a combined wireless transmitter and receiver.Information transmitted or received by the wireless transmitter/receiver210 may be related to haptic feedback to be delivered to the user. Forexample, the wireless transmitter/receiver 210 may be configured toreceive information from the one or more processors (e.g., the processor122) defining one or more feedback parameters of the haptic feedback tobe generated by the actuator 208. Feedback parameters may include thetype of haptic feedback, the duration of haptic feedback, the intensityor magnitude of haptic feedback, frequency of periodic haptic signal,harmonic content of haptic signal, pattern of haptic pulses or aspectsof haptic signal, static and/or changing deformation features, and/orother aspects of haptic feedback.

The actuator control 212 may be configured to control the actuator 208.The actuator control 212 may control the actuator 208 so as to cause theactuator 208 to generate haptic feedback for the user. The control ofthe actuator 208 by the actuator control 212 may be in accordance withinformation received from one or more processors (e.g., the processor122) defining one or more feedback parameters. The actuator control 212may be carried by the accessory 204 and/or the base device 206 inaccordance with exemplary implementations.

The identifying features 214 may be configured to identify theperipheral 202 and/or the accessory 204 to the one or more processors(e.g., the processor 122). The identifying features 214 may identify theperipheral 202 and/or the accessory 204 from other peripherals and/oraccessories that are usable with the interactive content. The one ormore feedback parameters communicated from the one or more processors(e.g., the processor 122) to the peripheral 202 may be dependent on theidentifying features of the peripheral 202 and/or the accessory 204. Theidentifying features may include graphics, markings, colors, and/orother visual traits.

The accessory 204 may be a physical object and/or a physical deviceconfigured to be associated with the base device 206. Association of theaccessory 204 with the base device 206 may include physical couplingand/or other association. Physical coupling between the accessory 204and the base device 206 may include removably attaching the accessory204 to the base device 206, permanently attaching the accessory 204 tothe base device 206, interchangeably coupling the accessory 204 and thebase device 206, and/or other physical coupling. A plurality ofaccessories, such as the accessory 204, may be interchanged in the basedevice 206. The particular accessory associated with the base device 206may affect the interactive content provided to the user via the contentoutput appliance 112. The accessory 204 may bear certain graphics, whichmay constitute identifying features utilized by one or more modules ofthe processor 122.

According to some implementations, the accessory 204 may include acard-like or other paper-like physical form factor. Examples of suchform factors may include collectible cards (e.g., sports cards and/orgaming cards), greeting cards (e.g., birthday cards), product brochuresand/or other promotional materials, maps and/or other guides, books,magazines, newspapers, and/or other card-like or other paper-like formfactors. The base device 206 may be configured to receive the accessory204 such that the accessory 204 is removably coupled with the basedevice 206. As such, a plurality of accessories similar to the accessory204 may be interchangeable in the base device 206. By way ofnon-limiting example, the base device 206 may include a slot in which anaccessory (e.g., the accessory 204) having a card-like form factor maybe inserted such that a portion of the accessory is visible. The basedevice 206 may be configured to provide haptic feedback to the user whenthe accessory 204 is coupled therewith. The haptic feedback provided tothe user may be dependent on the accessory 204, where differentaccessories may result in different haptic feedback.

In some implementations, the accessory 204 may provide haptic feedbackto the user without the base device 206. In such implementations, thebase device 206 may be omitted from the system 100, or be used for otherpurposes. For example, the base device 206 may be used to store one ormore accessories, charge one or more accessories, select one or moreaccessories, and/or otherwise complement the use of the accessory 204.

According to some implementations, in which the accessory 204 has abook-like form factor, one or more individual pages may include embeddedinformation that triggers presentation of interactive content by thecontent output appliance 112 of the digital device 106. In suchimplementations, the book binding may constitute the digital device 106,while the particular page to which the book-like form factor is openedmay constitute the accessory 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates a peripheral 302, in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the invention. The peripheral 302 may be configuredto enhance the interactivity of interactive content being conveyed to auser by the content output appliance 112. The peripheral 302 mayconstitute the peripheral 102 depicted in FIG. 1, according to someimplementations. As depicted in FIG. 2, the peripheral 302 may includeone or more of an actuator 304, a wireless transmitter/receiver 306, anactuator control 308, one or more identifying features 310, anelectronic display 312, a display control 314, a user interface 316,and/or other components. In some implementations, for example, theperipheral 302 may include (not depicted in FIG. 3) one or more of abattery, an audio playback device, an accelerometer, a motion detector,buttons, and/or other components. The actuator 304, the wirelesstransmitter/receiver 306, the actuator control 308, and/or theidentifying features 310 may be similar, respectively, to the actuator208, the wireless transmitter/receiver 210, the actuator control 212,and/or the identifying features 214 described in connection with FIG. 2.In some implementations, the identifying features 310 may include asubscriber identity module card 318, which may be removably coupled withthe peripheral 302.

The electronic display 312 may be configured to display content (e.g.,images, video, text, and/or other content) to the user. Contentdisplayed by the electronic display 312 may include identifying featuresthat can be used by one or more modules of the content output appliance112. Content displayed by the electronic display 312 may includeinteractive content that is the same, similar to, and/or different thaninteractive content presented by the content output appliance 112 of thedigital device 106. The electronic display 312 may be integrated withthe peripheral 302 as a single device. The electronic display 312 may beseparate from the peripheral 302 and communicatively coupled with theperipheral 302. According to some implementations, the electronicdisplay 312 may include a touch screen configured to receive informationfrom the user.

The display control 314 may be configured to control the electronicdisplay 312. The display control 314 may control the electronic display312 to present interactive content to the user that corresponds to theinteractive content being conveyed to the user by the content outputappliance 112. The display control 314 may control the electronicdisplay 312 to present identifying features.

The user interface 316 may be configured to receive information from theuser and/or provide information to the user. As such, the user interface316 may include hardware and/or software to facilitate receivinginformation from the user and/or providing information to the user.Exemplary hardware may include one or more of buttons, dials, touchpads, and/or other hardware. In accordance with some implementations,some or all of the user interface 316 may be presented to the user viathe electronic display 312. In implementations where the electronicdisplay 312 includes a touch screen, the user may provide information tothe user interface 316 by manipulating the touch screen.

In some implementations, the user interface 316 may be configured topresent user configurable settings to the user. The user interface 316may be configured to receive selections from the user of values for theuser configurable settings. One or more user configurable settings mayimpact the haptic feedback that is generated by the actuator 304 of theperipheral 302. The user configurable settings may configure one or moreaspects of operation of the actuator control 308 of the peripheral 302.The user configurable settings may be provided to one or moreprocessors. In some implementations, the user configurable settings maybe provided to the processor 122 of the digital device 106 by way of thewireless transmitter/receiver 306 of the peripheral 302.

According to some implementations, the peripheral 302 may include amobile telephone, a digital music player, a personal digital assistant,a Smartphone, a wrist watch, an e-book reader, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a remote control, a wearable computer (interactiveclothing/accessories), a computing/interactive digital media deviceimplanted in or on the user's body, and/or other mobile device. Themobile device may be configured for one or more of single-player gaming,multi-player gaming, social networking, interaction with virtual and/oraugmented reality environments, interactive messaging and/or othercommunication, confirmation of remote manipulation (e.g., telerobotics,locking/unlocking real and/or virtual locks), interactive responsesbased on in-story character actions and/or plot developments intext-based and/or video-based stories, and/or other mobile applications.

In implementations that involve single-player gaming and/or multi-playergaming, haptic feedback may be provided to the user via the peripheral302 responsive to events and/or interactions within a game. For example,the actuator 304 may vibrate during an explosion taking place in thegame or during certain music within the game. In implementations thatinvolve social networking, haptic feedback may be provided to the uservia the peripheral 302 responsive to events and/or interactions withinthe social network. In one example, the actuator 304 may vibrate whenthe user obtains a friend in the social network.

In implementations that involve interactive messaging and/or othercommunication, communications may include haptic feedback. Suchcommunications may include virtual touch communications where the usercan feel the reaction of interactive messaging elements (e.g.,emoticons). Such communications may include virtual touch objects comingin contact with one another, such as for example, a virtual handassociated with the user contacting another virtual hand triggering ahaptic effect via the peripheral 302.

In implementations involving confirmation of remote manipulation, avirtual environment may be presented to the user (e.g., via the contentoutput appliance 112 and/or the electronic display 312), whichrepresents a real-world environments. Robots and/or other mechanismswithin the real-world environment may be controlled by the user tointeract with objects in the real-world environment. Those interactionsmay trigger haptic feedback provided by the peripheral 302.

In implementations involving interactive responses based on in-storycharacter actions and/or plot developments in text-based and/orvideo-based stories, pre-defined character actions and/or plotdevelopments may serve as trigger points for corresponding hapticfeedback. For example, when an in-story character swings a baseball batand hits a baseball, haptic feedback representing the impact of the ballagainst the bat may be provided via the peripheral 302.

As mentioned above, the peripheral 102 may include a toy. One or morecomponents described in connection with the peripheral 202 and/or theperipheral 302 may be included in such a toy. Examples of a toy mayinclude an action figure, a doll, a vehicle, a weapon, and/or othertoys. A representation of the toy may be included in the interactivecontent outputted by the content output appliance 112 and/or otherdevice. The user may experience haptic feedback via the toy responsiveto actions performed by the representation of the toy may be included inthe interactive content. For example, if the toy is an action figure andthe representation of the toy is shown as walking in the interactivecontent, the toy may provide haptic feedback that corresponds to thewalking. Haptic feedback may be triggered based at least in part onmanipulations of the toy by the user. For example, if the toy is aweapon, simulated use of the weapon by the user may result in hapticfeedback being provided by the toy.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for interacting with interactive contentbeing conveyed to a user by a content output appliance, in accordancewith one or more implementations of the invention. The operations of themethod 400 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In someimplementations, the method 400 may be accomplished with one or moreadditional operations not described, and/or without one or more of theoperations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations ofthe method 400 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and described below is notintended to be limiting.

In some implementations, the method 400 may be implemented in one ormore processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor,a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of the method 400 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of the method 400.

At an operation 402, interactive content may be outputted to a user. Insome implementations, the interactive content may be outputted by thecontent output appliance 112 of the digital device 106 and/or theelectronic display 312 of the peripheral 302. The content to beoutputted may be determined by the content module 128, in someimplementations.

At an operation 404, one or more position parameters that are related tothe position of a peripheral being manipulated by the user may bedetermined. The one or more position parameters may be determined inconjunction with the position module 124, according to someimplementations. The imaging device 114 and/or the position sensor 118may be utilized in determining the one or more position parameters.

At an operation 406, the peripheral being manipulated by the user may beidentified from among a plurality of possible peripherals. Theperipheral identification module 126 may be executed to identify theperipheral being manipulated by the user. In some implementations, theimaging device 114 and/or the peripheral identification sensor 116 maybe utilized in identifying the peripheral being manipulated by the user.

At an operation 408, the interactive content being outputted may beadjusted. This adjustment may be based at least in part on one or moreof the position parameter(s) determined at the operation 404, theidentification of the peripheral being manipulated by the user at theoperation 406, and/or other factors. The content module 128 may beexecuted to perform the operation 408 in some implementations.

At an operation 410, haptic feedback to be provided to the user isdetermined. This determination may be based at least in part on theposition parameter(s) determined at the operation 404, theidentification of the peripheral being manipulated by the user at theoperation 406, and/or other factors. The haptics module 130 may beexecuted to perform the operation 410, in accordance with someimplementations.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to present interactivecontent to a user that is manipulating a peripheral, the systemcomprising: a content output appliance configured to output interactivecontent to the user; and a processor configured to execute computerprogram modules, the computer program modules comprising: a state moduleconfigured to determine one or more state parameters that are related tothe state of the peripheral; a peripheral identification moduleconfigured to identify the peripheral from a plurality of possibleperipherals; a content module configured to adjust the interactivecontent output by the content output appliance based on the one or morestate parameters; and a haptics module configured to determine hapticfeedback to be provided to the user, wherein the haptics module isconfigured to determine the haptic feedback based on the identificationof the peripheral and the one or more state parameters.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the peripheral identification module is configured toidentify the peripheral by identifying a type of peripheral from among aplurality of peripheral types.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theperipheral includes a card bearing graphics, and wherein the peripheralidentification module is configured to identify the peripheral based onthe graphics.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral is amobile telephone.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheralincludes a toy.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising aperipheral identification sensor configured to generate an output signalthat conveys information that identifies the peripheral from a pluralityof potential peripherals, wherein the peripheral identification moduleis configured to identify the peripheral based on the output signal ofthe peripheral identification sensor.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereinthe peripheral identification sensor is configured to sense the identityof the peripheral via RFID sensing.
 8. The system of claim 7, whereinthe peripheral includes a toy.
 9. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a position sensor configured to generate an output signalthat conveys information related to the position of the peripheral,wherein the state module is configured to determine the one or morestate parameters based on the output signal of the position sensor. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein the content output appliance comprisesone or both of an electronic display and/or an electronic soundtransducer.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the haptics module isconfigured such that the haptic feedback is further based on theinteractive content being output by the content output appliance. 12.The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitterconfigured to wirelessly transmit information related to the determinedhaptic feedback to an actuator configured to deliver the haptic feedbackto the user.
 13. A peripheral configured to enhance the interactivity ofinteractive content being conveyed to a user by a content outputappliance, wherein the content output appliance is under control of oneor more processors that control the output of the interactive contentbased on one or more state parameters of the peripheral, the peripheralcomprising: an actuator configured to generate haptic feedback for theuser; a base device configured to be removably coupled to an accessorysuch that any of a plurality of accessories can be interchangeablycoupled to the base device; a wireless receiver carried by the basedevice, the wireless receiver being configured to receive informationfrom the one or more processors defining one or more feedback parametersof the haptic feedback to be generated by the actuator; an actuatorcontrol configured to control the actuator to generate haptic feedbackfor the user in accordance with the received information defining theone or more feedback parameters; and one or more identifying featuresthat identify the peripheral to the one or more processors from otherperipherals that are usable with the interactive content such that theone or more feedback parameters communicated from the one or moreprocessors to the peripheral are dependent on the identifying featuresof the peripheral.
 14. The peripheral of claim 13, wherein one or bothof the actuator and/or the actuator control are carried by the basedevice.
 15. The peripheral of claim 13, further comprising: an accessorycarrying the one or more identifying features, wherein the accessory isa toy.
 16. The peripheral of claim 13, further comprising: an electronicdisplay; and a display control configured to control the electronicdisplay to present interactive content to the user that corresponds tothe interactive content being conveyed to the user by the content outputappliance.
 17. The peripheral of claim 13, further comprising a userinterface configured to present user configurable settings to the user,and to receive selections from the user of values for the userconfigurable settings, and wherein user configurable settings impact thehaptic feedback that is generated by the actuator.
 18. The peripheral ofclaim 17, wherein the user configurable settings configure one or moreaspects of operation of the actuator control.
 19. The peripheral ofclaim 17, wherein the user configurable settings are provided to the oneor more processors.
 20. The peripheral of claim 13, wherein the one ormore identifying features comprise a subscriber identity module card.